World Food Day: BATN Foundation Reaffirms Commitment to Food Security

The British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) has partnered with the Lagos State Government to host the 2023 Lagos Farm Fair to commemorate the United Nations World Food Day.

The Lagos Farm Fair, held at the Police College, Ikeja, is an initiative under “Wealth is Here,” aimed at ensuring food adequacy and sufficiency.

The 5th edition of the Lagos Farm Fair, themed “Water is Life, Water is Food; Leave No One Behind” is geared towards taking actionable steps.

This edition is powered by the government and the organised private sector in ensuring food security —foods are made affordable and accessible within the State.

The BATNF partnership with the Lagos state government is in tandem with achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, 6, 8, 10 and 13.

It aims to improve human living conditions through a healthy diet and promote action against hunger in the state and this year’s fair has been able to support over 600 smallholder farmers.

Ruth Owojaiye, who represented the Board Director of BATN Foundation Odiri Erewa-Meggison, noted that the initiative aligned with the core objectives of the Foundation.

She also gave stewardship of the achievement of BATN Foundation in the installation of 100 solar-powered borehole facilities (20,000-liter capacity).

There were over 300,000 beneficiaries and irrigation kits provided for smallholder farmers on over 500 acres of land to support dry season farming and boost their income, all achieved in five years.

BATN Foundation, since its inception in 2002, has supported the federal and state governments in agricultural development programmes.

It has invested over N2 billion to support rural smallholder farmers in the production of food crops, like cassava, rice, and maize; and in aquaculture and livestock.

“We have reached over 1.3 million beneficiaries. We expect to double that in the next 10 years through increased support to smallholder farmers across the 36 states of the federation and the FCT,” says Erewa-Meggison.

The Lagos Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms Abisola Olusanya, acknowledged the significance of the event when the nation is facing critical food security issues and requires urgent actions to scale up food production across the various value chains.

“Not only is Lagos playing a frontline role in the aqua farming industry, we are also key players in the production of other crops and edible produce.

“This year’s commemoration of World Food Day is to come out and encourage our farmers and create a platform for them to be aware of all the incentives and interventions we have created for them,” the commissioner said.

BATN Foundation has partnered consistently over the years with the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Stanbic IBTC Bank to sponsor the World Food Day — Lagos Farm Fair celebration, a platform designed to create market linkage to farmers as we recognise the integral part they play in nation-building.